Lifting Wood Without a Cam: Is This Idea Any Good?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on creating a mechanism to lift a plank of wood around a pivot without using a traditional cam positioned below the wood. The proposed solution involves placing a cam above the wood and utilizing a spring to maintain contact between the follower and the cam. Participants explore alternative designs, including suspending the plank from the cam follower and questioning the necessity of a follower arrangement. The consensus suggests that while the idea is innovative, further exploration of simpler mechanisms may yield more effective solutions.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of mechanical linkages and pivot systems
  • Familiarity with cam mechanisms and follower designs
  • Knowledge of spring mechanics and their applications
  • Basic principles of mechanical engineering and design
NEXT STEPS
  • Research "Cam and Follower Mechanisms" for foundational knowledge
  • Explore "Spring Mechanisms in Mechanical Design" for practical applications
  • Investigate "Alternative Lifting Mechanisms" such as levers and pulleys
  • Study "Mechanical Advantage in Simple Machines" to enhance design efficiency
USEFUL FOR

Mechanical engineers, hobbyists in robotics, and designers looking to innovate lifting mechanisms without traditional constraints.

david18
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Hi, I am creating a mechanism that needs to be able to lift a plank of wood up and down arpund a pivot. However, there isn't enough space below the wood to enable me to place a cam. So i thought I might be able to place a cam above the wood - although this would mean the follower would have no gravity to keep in contact with the cam, if I placed a spring under the wood it should spring back up.

I'd like to know if this idea is any good and if its been used before, or if there are any mechanisms that would make much more sense in this case.
 

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Seems like it could work, but you could also make the contact point on the top surface of the cam, and suspend the plank from the cam follower.
 
Do you have to use a follower arrangement? Why not simply attach the follower arm to the outer portion of the cam and forget about the spring?
 

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